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The 9 Best Hotels in Palm Springs

The dreamy properties that tell the story of Palm Springs are the same ones you’ll want to hole up in for days.

Palm Springs has been through a multitude of incarnations over the last century—from Old Hollywood hangout, to spring break headquarters, to struggling tourist town, to one of California’s most beloved and unique resort cities. That last one is a title it proudly holds today, after reinventing itself as a glamorous desert getaway. To get here, it rode the wave of mid-century modernism’s rebirth to become internationally renowned for its architecture, art and design, one-of-a-kind vintage shops, endless outdoor activities, and the hot spots A-listers descend upon during the juggernaut that is the Coachella music festival.

The best Palm Springs hotels are as wide-ranging as the area’s visitors; whether you’re seeking a tranquil boutique hotel, sprawling resort, or retro design motel with a shiny facelift, it’s as easy to find the perfect place to stay as it is to spend all day sitting by a sparkling pool, in dreamy desert weather with nothing but mountain views for miles. Here’s where to find them.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

La Serena Villas

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If you’ve done the midcentury thing before, opt for this Spanish hacienda-style property with just 18 private bungalows, a quiet pool, breezy restaurant, and flowing margaritas. The adults-only property draws mainly couples (of all ages) looking for R&R, along with locals who hit poolside restaurant Azucar and rooftop bar Sugar High for evening cocktails under the stars. Bungalows are decidedly design-forward, with a mix of Spanish, Moroccan, and boho styles, and feel even larger than they are thanks to vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. Every room category comes with its own private courtyard patio equipped with a fire pit, bench seating, and clawfoot tub for soaking under the sky and many also come with front porches boasting bamboo swings. Inside you’ll find Frette linens and towels, L’Occitane bath products, and Keurig coffee makers.

Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs Hotel

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A full-service hotel smack in the center of town, the tallest building (at seven stories) in Palm Springs is also the only hotel in the entire Coachella Valley with a rooftop pool. Thanks to its height, rooftop pool, and plenty of passing foot traffic, The Rowan has more of a real-deal city vibe than most of the resort-feeling properties in town, drawing a crowd that varies in age and demographic, but often skews heavy on business travelers here for onsite meetings and conferences, as well as travelers with pets in tow. It feels modern while still honoring the city’s midcentury roots and desert location, with rooms featuring light-wood floors, hairpin-legged nightstands, leather desk chairs, cool blue accent rugs, framed topographical maps, and the especially novel tiled walls serving as headboards. Bathrooms feel fresh with large, glass-enclosed showers accented by glossy subway tiles. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, and many have balconies—with corner rooms offering wraparound options. Once you step out of the lobby, you’re mere yards from the city’s bustling main drag and within walking distance of most of Palm Springs’ highlights—shopping, dining and live music, hiking, museums, and many new public art installations. Those looking for a more private, off-the-beaten-path location will likely want to head elsewhere.

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